Medicamina Faciei Femineae – cosmetics in ancient times according to Ovid
Woman on a Roman wall fresco
Medicamina Faciei Femineae, or “Cosmetics for the Female Face”, is a fascinating treatise written by Ovid, one of the most famous poets of ancient Rome. This is a work that reflects the ancient approach to female beauty. It is a poetic facial care instruction. Interestingly, this text can be considered one of the first cosmetology magazines in literature.
Ovid (43 BC – 18 CE), known primarily for “Art of Love” (Ars Amatoria), here also refers to the topic of beauty, although in a slightly different way. In Medicamina Faciei Femineae he included not only descriptions of cosmetics but also specific recipes for creams and facial care mixtures. The ingredients used then included barley flour, goat’s milk and ground deer horn, which were considered luxurious and extremely effective products.
Ovid approached beauty with humour, but also with deep reflection. He believed that taking care of one’s appearance was a privilege and a duty. Interestingly, the author touches on the topic of naturalness in the work, recommending moderation and giving up excess cosmetics, which was an unusual approach at that time.
The work has only partially survived – 100 lines, while scientists estimate it could have had up to 800 lines.
